2026 AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers

 

AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants

Applications are open for the 2026 AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers, offering doctoral candidates from sub-Saharan Africa the chance to complete research stays of one to two months at a host institution in another sub-Saharan African country. The programme runs two tracks: a General grant open to male and female candidates, and a Special grant reserved for female candidates only. It strengthens the scientific capacity and networking of young African researchers through cooperation with experienced scientific hosts and AvH Foundation alumni. Applicants must be registered doctoral students, be nationals of a sub-Saharan African country, and have at least one published paper indexed by SCOPUS or Web of Science. A confirmed scientific host and an agreed work schedule are required. Complete applications must be submitted online in English.

Overview

Item	Details
Programme	AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers
Beneficiaries	Doctoral candidates from sub-Saharan Africa
Duration	Research stay of 1 to 2 months
Host country	Another sub-Saharan African country
Tracks	General (male and female) and Special (female only)
Language	English
Deadline	16 October 2026, 23:59 GMT

About the Grant

AGNES operates two Intra-Africa Mobility Grants for Junior Researchers, open to interested and qualified candidates from sub-Saharan Africa. The General grant is for male and female candidates, while the Special grant is reserved for female candidates only.

The programme aims to strengthen the scientific capacity and networking of young researchers in sub-Saharan Africa through cooperation between AGNES and its members, who serve as supervisors for grant awardees. It also supports Alexander von Humboldt (AvH) Foundation alumni in mentoring high-potential junior researchers and helping them access international networks of scientific excellence.

Concretely, the grant enables a doctoral candidate to spend a research stay of one to two months at a university or research institute in another sub-Saharan African country, working alongside an experienced researcher referred to as the scientific host.

Researchers exploring further funding across the continent may also consider the ARCGSSP Scholarship Programme for Africans.

Eligibility Requirements

Direct applications are considered from junior researchers who have published at least one article from their thesis work in a non-predatory journal. The applicant:

• May come from any academic discipline but must be officially registered for a doctoral degree at a university or tertiary institution in sub-Saharan Africa at the time of application.
• Must be a national of a sub-Saharan African country.
• Must have at least one published paper from earlier thesis work, in a journal indexed by SCOPUS or Web of Science.

Applicants must clearly show that their work is relevant to development in sub-Saharan African countries and cannot be carried out in their home country. Only candidates with an identified scientific host and a mutually agreed proposal and work schedule will be considered.

Applicants pursuing leadership and fellowship tracks alongside research may find the AFLI Archbishop Tutu Fellowship a relevant option.

Application Requirements

A complete application must include the following:

Document	Requirement
Research proposal	In English, maximum 5 pages, with a work schedule; agreed to in writing by the scientific host
CV	In English, using the official AGNES template
Proof of registration	Official proof of current doctoral enrolment
Academic transcripts	Undergraduate and postgraduate grades; grading system explained in English if needed
List of publications	With SCOPUS or Web of Science URLs and the first page of each paper, merged into one PDF
Travel costs	Two quotes for return travel between home country and host institution
Cost of living estimate	Rent, meals, local transport and health insurance at the host institution

Applicants are expected to hold valid health insurance for the research stay. Scientific hosts and host institutions are expected to help applicants find affordable accommodation and set realistic subsistence estimates.

How to Apply

Interested junior scientists must apply by completing the online application form on the official AGNES webpage. All applications must be submitted online by 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Journalists and communicators following research and media opportunities may also be interested in the MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship.

For full details, visit the official AGNES Intra-Africa Mobility Grants webpage.